Mechanism for starting clocks



Nov. 18, 1930. w. J. VANDERPOOL MECHANISM FOR STARTING CLOCKS Filed April 13. 1928 Patented Nov. 18, 1230 marsh stares PATENT orries WILLIAM J. VANDERPOOL, OF ROCHESTER,

NEVI YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TAYLOR INSTRU- MENT COMPANIES, OF ROCHESTER, NEXV YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK MECHANISM FOR Application filed April 13,

This invention relates to mechanism for starting clocks of the type used for driving recording charts or the like.

In clocks of this character a starting mechanism is commonly used to start the clock in case it should stop or in order to start it automatically in accordance with certain schedules of industrial processes.

The object of the present invention is the provision of starting mechanism more peculiarly adapted for industrial clocks.

Another object is the provision of starting mechanism exceedingly simple in construc-. tion and operation and cheap to manufacture.

For a full explanation of the invention, its characteristic features and advantages, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

F 1 is a face view of an instrument embodying the invention, parts being broken away to show the relationship of parts;

Fig. 2 is a top view of so much of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 as represents the invention proper; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 83, Fig. 2.

111 Fig. 1, 10 represents an instrument casing containing inter alia a recording chart 11, a rotary chart holder 12 and a clock mechanism 13 for driving the latter. The chart holder, which in most instances is a disk, is disposed in front of the clock and cannot, as a rule, be removed to afford access to the clock mechanism.

Having reference to Figs. 2 and 3. let is the balance wheel of a usual form of clock mechanism and 15 the spiral spring connected with it. Parallel with the shaft 14 of the balance wheel is disposed a shaft 16 having bearing at its ends in openings of the front and rear walls of the clock, which walls are held in spaced relation by corner posts. The shaft 16 is thus free to move both in axial and also in angular direction. On the shaft 4.5 16 is mounted a crank arm 18, preferably of fine steel wire or other resilient material. By turning the shaft 16, the crank arm is brought into resilient contact with the wheel 14 so as to impart motion to the latter.

Heretofore it was customary to provide a STARTING CLOCKS 1928. Serial No. 269,702.

rotary shaft with a resilient arm and I do not claim any novelty in this respect. A spring was associated with the shaft to return it to an initial position. The shaft was turned by hand allowing it to return under the action of the spring, whereby the resilient arm imparted a tap to the balance wheel to start the same.

My invention comprises a shaft adapted to undergo rotary motion, but in addition, it is free to move axially. Connected with the shaft 16 is a helical spring 19 surrounding the shaft and anchored to it at one end, the other end being anchored to the post 20 which may be a corner post.

Near its rear end, the shaft 16 carries a pin 21 bearing upon the inclined edge of a member 22. The latter is attached to the rear wall of the clock, for instance in form of a wire bent to define an inclined slide path. The slope of the edge is so chosen that a force acting upon the front end of the shaft will cause the pin 21 to ride down along the edge of the member 22 and cause the shaft to undergo a rotary movement. The movement of the shaft is thus a composite movement. During this movement the spring 19 is tensioned, partly circumferentially and partly axially, and the energy stored up-thereby tends to return the shaft simultaneously in axial and circumferential direction. In order to best accomplish the purpose, the helical coil should not'be very stifi, should consist only of four or five convolutions and the connection between it and the anchoring post should be very short. As indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, the distance between the center of the shaft 16 and the center of the post 20 is made very short. It is possible to so correlate the diiferent factors that the shaft 16 may be pushed with little force and that nevertheless the recoil action of the spring delivering the impact to the balance wheel is ample for starting the same. The pin 21 is preferably extended through the shaft 16 to the other side to act as a stop against the post 20.

The practical significance of this arrangement is this: Inasmuch as the chart holder is in front of the clock and the shaft 16 cannot parallel to the axis the spring and means the clock for causing the shaft to undergo rotary movement when it is movedaxially.

project in front of the face of the chart holder, it is ordinarily difiicult to rotate the shaft, aside from the fact that a large opening must be provided in the chart holder to aiford access for the fingers to turn the shaft.

By the arrangement described, the opening 28 in the chart holder need not be perceptibly larger than is necessary to permit the application of a pin, pencil or a finger to press;

against the shaft.

In the drawing, I have shown the invention as applied to an instrumentwherein a bulb 24L filled with an expansible liquid causes the movement of a pen 25. However, it is understood that the invention is not limited to any particular application.

I am aware that starting devices are old and I know that it is old as a general proposition to convert axial movement of a shaft or the like'into rotary motion thereof, and I do not claim any novelty except as to the specific arrangement disclosed.

What I claim as new and patentable is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a clock having a balancewheel, of a shaft disposed on the clock of the balance wheel, said shaft being mounted for both rotary and axial movement, a crank arm carried by the shaft, adapted to strike against the balance wheel when the shaft is rotated, a helical springsurrounding theshaft, having one end connected thereto, means in close proximity to the shaft for anchoring the other end of on the shaft and on 2. In apparatus of the character described,

-the combination with a clock having a bal-' 'ance wheel, of a shaft disposed on the clock 'parallel to theaxis of the balance wheel,'said shaft being. mounted for rotary and axial movement, spring means resisting axialand rotary movement of the shaft, a crank arm carried by the shaft, adapted to strike against the balance wheel and means on the shaft and on'the clock for causing the shaft to undergo rotary movement when it is moved axially.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM J. VANDERPOOL. 

